Everything to Everyone

For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. 1 Corinthians 9:19-20,22 [emphasis added]

Few would dispute that Paul was a leader. And he became everything to everyone to accomplish his purpose.

To get the best performance out of each individual, a leader must be everything to everyone. (Click to Tweet)

A leader today must do the same thing, with a few exceptions.

To the energetic, you must show energy.

To the nerds, you must talk like a nerd.

To the lighthearted, you must use humor. You must learn to be funny.

To a high D (on the DISC profile), you must communicate like a high D.

So that by all means you may get the best performance out of each individual.

How to communicate with everyone

1. Learn their communication style.

Want to be a better leader? Get Your FREE BOOK here and learn how to get, give, and use feedback to be a better leader.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links on this page above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

It takes practice. I don’t always get it right – especially the first time – or especially when I’m tired or rushed. It’s important to take the time and focus our energy on communicating well with each of our team members. Great reminders today, Matt.

Great points Matt. If you don’t learn to communicate with your team, then you risk losing good people because they are frustrated. Something I have realized lately, since I work with a lot of high I’s and D’s, and I’m a high C, I need to ask enough questions to get the details I need since they typically will hit the high points. So in a way, it goes both ways – I have to give them the info they way they need it, and get the info the way I need it. Great post!

As a high D, all those questions annoy me by nature, but I am learning to be patient.

I’ve found that when a high C gets about 30 seconds into their 5 minute explanation, I have already made my decision. But I focus really hard on listening to the rest and being respectful of their time too.

awww man! this sounds like WORK!! I don’t know if I’m up for that bro… haha, I think one best ways to learn the best way to communicate with others is to…communicate. As you talk and interact with someone, you will learn how they communicate, and what they respond best to. The key is paying attention. As you’re talking with them you have to be asking yourself “how do they communicate? What are they responding to in my communication? What are they NOT responding to?” and just make a note to adapt your communication more moving forward. Another aspect is just making sure that you are really listening. If you’re really listening, and truly want to understand, I think people are more receptive to you and more likely to receive your communication. Good post!

Thank you for delving a bit deeper. I got a bit nervous when I read, “To the nerds, you must talk like a nerd.” Because I are one.

Few things will set us off as a group faster than a manager-type who struts into the room and lays down the lingo without any real understanding. *Click* go the internal listening switches and everyone’s tuned out. Contrast that with the leader who comes in, treats everyone with genuine respect, doesn’t stoop to falsely trying to seem “hip”, asks smart questions and really listens. That guy will get everyone’s respect no matter how un-nerdy he may be.

Style and authenticity matters more than lingo, and I believe that’s what you’ve said here!

I’d encourage you to consider hiring outside of your strengths – I think having folks on your team who are different than you can help to show your blind-spots I want my team to have a different perspective and different style than me. I know what you are saying, you do have to relate to different people differently. I approach everyone on my team differently, because they ARE different. You got me thinking tonight…thanks!

I definitely don’t want yes men or people with the same skills as me, but I do want people with whom I am more naturally going to communicate well with if at all possible. Ultimately, all things being equal or close to equal, I will hire a high D over a high C. My preference in order is:

DISC IDSC DSIC SDIC SIDC

and so on…that is how hard of a time I have with high C’s. I am working on it though because I realize I rarely get to choose who I communicate with. But when I do, I choose people in those five profiles.

lulu

I think asking folks what they need to hear in order to get the job done is great. I was told to be direct with men – but when I checked with a few by asking them – some prefered a softer approach. A home example: I asked my husband would he rather I state what I need, like “I need you to take out the garbage today please”, or would he rather I say something like “when you have a moment, I would appreciate you taking the garbage out today.” He choose the latter. It takes me longer to get the wording right and to express my thought – but if it is what gets the point across, it is worth it. At work the main fellow I worked with was different – he liked things straight to the point – no dancing around the fire. One workmate likes the story behind the need to help her evaluate, another wants the need stated and then more info if asked. It is something like the love languages – it is the style of communication. No matter which style used – all must be done with respect.

Love languages are applicable everywhere. Just because Chapman uses the word “Love” doesn’t mean they don’t apply at work. Replace the word “Love” with “Appreciation” and they still work.

ABOUT ME

If you want to grow your influence, have a bigger impact, and make more money in the process, you are in the right place.

Entrepreneurs and companies such as Ray Edwards, Brian Tracy, Lewis Howes, Shutterfly, Peter Voogd, Jeff Goins, and Michael Hyatt have trusted us to run their affiliate launches.

I help online business owners and brands, small and large, to leverage the power of partners to grow their businesses. I teach you how to make money as an affiliate and how to work better with affiliates.

I help online business owners and brands, small and large, to leverage the power of partners to grow their businesses. I teach you how to make money as an affiliate and how to work better with affiliates.

If you want to grow your influence, have a bigger impact, and make more money in the process, you are in the right place.